FDP – VCU Data Acquisition Device

There is a need to monitor critical information during brake testing to obtain feedback and, ultimately, more insight on the brake performance of a vehicle. Currently, much of the data logging equipment required for testing is very specialized and consequently expensive. Additionally, automotive test vehicles apply older technology that is often not integrated with data analytics for calibrating stopping distance, number of stops, deceleration, and brake squeal. Presently, drivers fill out forms describing issues with brakes. Our team generated a device for FDP Brakes that monitors brake pad temperature, brake line pressure, and GPS location and speed of a test vehicle. This device is able to write data to an SD card in a tabulated format that can be interpreted by spreadsheet software to generate graphs of temperature, pressure, and speed/acceleration over time. Furthermore, the data can be viewed overlaying a map, implemented with a Google Maps web page applet, to show where events occurred. The device also displays up-to-date information at runtime regarding brake temperature and pressure, along with device status messages for error reporting and brake squeal detection, on a small LCD.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/capstone/1184/thumbnail.jp

Classroom Factors that Affects the Performance of Integrated Science Students at the Junior High School in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

The purpose of the study was to find out the opinions of public and private Junior High School science teachers on the classroom factors that affect performance of students in integrated science in public and private junior high schools in the Kumasi metropolis. The study used descriptive survey designed. The sampling procedure employed for the study was both random and purposive sampling. While the integrated science teachers were purposively sampled due to their subject they teach, the students were randomly selected. Questionnaire and interview were used for data collection. It was found out that integrated science teachers to be aware that classroom factors such as teacher-student relationship, availability of science resource materials, teaching methods employed by teachers, class size, supervision and physical infrastructure are likely to affect performance of students in integrated science at the J.H.S. level. Again, the findings revealed that the selected public schools within the Kumasi metropolis were well resourced with the following: adequate physical infrastructure, adequate science resource materials, adequate science text books and adequate trained science teachers as against their private school counterparts with inadequate physical infrastructure, inadequate science resource materials, inadequate science text books and few trained science teachers. It was recommended that effective supervision must be performed regularly by heads of schools during integrated science lessons. The heads of the public JHS especially, those in the Kumasi metropolis must be made to regularly ensure that their science teachers teach very well during integrated science lessons. Keywords: Laboratory, Performance, Classroom factor

The Effect of Culture on the Teaching and Learning of Science at the Basic Schools in Ghana

The purpose of the study was to investigate how culture influences the teaching and learning of science at the basic schools in the Agona West Municipality of the Central Region, East Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region and the Kwabre District of the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The research design used for this study was descriptive survey. The sampling procedure employed for the study was the purposive sampling. A total of three hundred and thirty (330) subjects were selected, made up of three hundred (300) students and thirty (30) science teachers. The instruments used for collecting data for the study consisted of questionnaire, interview and observation schedules. It was found out that students had cultural knowledge they use in explaining phenomena. Teachers were aware of student’s cultural knowledge especially in explaining concepts. It was recommended that teachers should teach their students bearing in mind their cultural knowledge and incorporate that in their teaching. Keywords: Culture, Cultural knowledge, Scientific concept, Taboos

A manual beaming device: an improved method for warp winding in broadloom weaving

Challenges with broadloom beaming that affect the weaving process and eventually the woven fabric aspect, could be as a result of the great bulk of yarns attached to the weighted box for tensioning. This project sought to construct a beaming device that maintains even tension of warp yarn at beaming by reducing the amount of yarns held together in a group to the weighted box. The study employed the Universal Research Methodology (URM). Results from interviews and observations, aided in constructing an appropriate device for beaming. In the study, relevant data was solicited from textile students and technicians at the textile section of the Industrial Art Department of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology which aided in designing the blueprints. The outcome of the study after 14 beaming revealed that challenges and faults hitherto encountered at beaming and weaving were largely absent. The study recommends the adaptation of this new mechanism and method of warp attachment to ensure smoother weaving and enhanced fabric quality.Keywords: Broadloom Weaving, Warp Preparation, Manual Beaming, Beaming Device, Tension Differential

Assessing College of Education Tutors Readiness to Integrate Hand Held Devices in Teaching and Learning of Science, Mathematics and Ict

The purpose of the study is to understand tutors knowledge, skills and current practices that are considered secured, emerging and aspirational in integrating hand held devices (HHDs) in teaching of science, mathematics and ICT in colleges of education. The convenient sampling technique was used, since the focus was on Science, Mathematics and ICT tutors in the College. Ten (10) Tutors who were available and willing to participate were conveniently sampled for the study. Questionnaires were the major tools used for data collection. It is concluded from the findings of the study that the knowledge and skills of the college of education tutors as far as the use of hand held devices to support learning are concerned is very high (secured). However, majority of the tutors needed knowledge and skills to effectively integrate HHDs in their practices as well as understand how to use YouTube videos as a resource for learning topics that are challenging to them. More so, tutors want to incorporate technological tools to plan sessions carefully to ensure productive use of time and meaningful learning in lesson delivery and to break down difficult concepts to make the subject accessible to pre-service teachers via HHDs. Keywords: Handheld devices, ICT integration. Knowledge, skill, practice

Measurement and Characterisation of Fractures in Parts of the Togo Structural Units (TSU) and Dahomeyan Gneissic Complex (DGC), SE Ghana

Fracture characterisation in fractured rocks is a critical step in the generation of discrete fracture network (DFN) modelling and the evaluation of the hydraulic and mechanical properties of the rockmass. In this study, an integrated approach of using structural geological mapping, linear and circular scanline mappings, and laboratory investigation of rock samples were undertaken at two selected sites, Site 1, within the Togo structural units (TSU) near Ablekuma settlement, and Site 2 within the Dahomeyan Gneissic Complex (DGC), near Danfa settlement to derive information on fracture characteristics in the Study Area. A total of 1128 fractures were surveyed along a total length of 238 m of scanline at Site 1, and 629 fractures along a total of 156.0 m at Site 2. Fourteen and thirteen circular scanlines were surveyed at Site 1 and Site 2 respectively Linear fracture density or intensity (P10) from the 7 scanlines at Site 1 ranged from 3.50 fractures/m to 6.26 fractures/m, compared to fractures at Site 2, which have fracture linear density ranging from 2.34 fractures/m to 5.04 fractures/m. The mean linear fracture intensity for Site 1 was computed as 4.739 fractures/m from 1128 fractures along 238.0 m scanline length, and 4.030 fractures/m from 629 fractures along a total of scanline of 156.0 m for Site 2. The DIPS software was used to analyse the orientation data, while the EasyFit used for modelling fracture spacing distribution. The best fit model for fracture spacing at Site 1 was a negative 2-parameter exponential distribution function (pdf), while that for Site 2 was a negative exponential distribution. There appear to be a lithological and/or stratigraphic thickness control on fracture density, as fracturing was more intense in the medium grained less thick quartzite beds of the Site 1, within TSU compared to the coarse grain much thicker stratigraphic units of gneiss of Site 2 within the DF. Keywords: Fracture characterisation, Togo Structural Units, Dahomeyan Gneissic Complex

THE NUTRITIONAL CONTENT OF FOODS SERVED IN THE SCHOOL FEEDING PROGRAM IN BASIC SCHOOLS IN GHANA

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the nutritional content of food served in the school feeding programme in basic schools in Ghana. The research design adopted for this study was a descriptive survey design. A simple random sampling procedure was used to draw a sample of 4 schools out of 19 schools in Birim Central municipality. In all, there were 23 teachers, four head teachers and 15 cooks selected for the study. Questionnaire and chemical analysis processes were used to collect data for the study. The result of the study indicated that the nutritional content of food served to children under the SFP failed to meet at least 50% of the RDI based on 2400 kilocalories. Results showed that the nutritional content of meals served to pupils under the SFP did not meet 50% RDI for school lunches. However, caterers had a high level of nutritional knowledge and the majority of them had a positive attitude towards nutrition education. It was recommended that food commodities that have a high concentration of various nutrients (protein, carbohydrate, fat and oil, vitamins and minerals) should be used instead of using those that have low concentrations.  Article visualizations

The Incidence of Dysfunctional Internet Usage in Ghana: An Exploratory Study

Despite the potential and tremendous opportunities the internet offers for employees to improve their work and productivity, the internet has become a source of unproductiveness given the potential for its misuse. Most of the literature on the dysfunctional use of the internet amongst employees tends to focus solely on advanced economies. Given the fact that the phenomenon of employers placing internet on employees’ desktops is relatively new in Ghana and the possible cultural influences on the type and extent of internet use, this paper investigated the non-work-related use of the internet amongst employees of Ghanaian organizations in both the private and public sector. We found that the use of the internet for non-work-related activities amongst Ghanaian employees is widespread and there exists an association between this case of dysfunctional internet usage and man-hour losses. Amongst other things, we recommend that managers employ internet use policies and prohibitions in dealing with the problem since the study found that these interventions are not in place. Keywords: Internet, internet use, Ghana, employee productivity, man-hour losses, employee

Factors That Hinder Teachers’ Use of Constructivism in Teaching and Learning of Science at Junior High School in Ghana

The purpose of the study is to find out the factors hinder the teachers’ use of constructivism in teaching and learning of science in their classroom and extent to which the methodology topics in science for Colleges of Education in Ghana equip basic teachers with the constructivist’s pedagogy so that a strong background for the promotion of constructivist-based teacher training courses could be considered. A descriptive survey design was employed for this study. The sample size for the study was 200 JHS science teachers from Kumasi Metropolis in the Ashanti Region. The main instrument used for the collection of data in this study was the close-ended questionnaire. The study revealed that factors that hinder the teachers’ use of constructivism in teaching and learning of science in their classroom include large class size, inadequate supply of teaching and learning materials, the nature and structure of national examinations and truancy.  The concept of constructivism is less popular if not missing in the curriculum of the Colleges of Education in Ghana. Again, the methodology course as indicated in the results does not adequately discuss the constructivists` epistemology well enough to make prospective teachers well informed about the concept. It was recommended that pre-service teacher education programs should focus more on helping prospective teachers to have an in-depth knowledge about the constructivist pedagogy so that a strong background for the promotion of the constructivist-based teaching courses could be considered. Keywords: Constructivism, methodology, prospective teacher

Clustering of childhood mortality in the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Ghana

Background: Childhood mortality in Ghana has generally declined in the last four decades. However, estimates tend to conceal substantial variability among regions and districts. The lack of population-based data in Ghana, as in other less developed countries, has hindered the development of effective programmes targeted specifically at clusters where mortality levels are significantly higher. Objective: This paper seeks to test for the existence of statistically significant clusters of childhood mortality within the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS) between 2005 and 2007. Design: In this study, mortality rates were generated using mortality data extracted from the health and demographic surveillance database of the KHDSS and exported into STATA. The spatial and spatio-temporal scan statistic by Kulldorff was used to identify significant clusters of childhood mortality within the KHDSS. Results: A significant cluster of villages with high under-five mortality in the south-eastern part of the KHDSS in 2006 was identified. This is a remote location where poverty levels are relatively higher, health facilities are more sparse and these are compounded by poor transport services in case of emergencies. Conclusion: This study highlights the potential of the surveillance platform to demonstrate the spatial dimensions of childhood mortality clustering. It is apparent, though, that further studies need to be carried out in order to explore the underlying risk factors for potential mortality clusters that could emerge later